Chicken and Rice Queso Casserole Recipe
This Chicken and Rice Queso Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty meal featuring tender, seasoned chicken combined with cheesy queso dip, instant rice, and flavorful spices. Cooked chicken is layered over a rich mixture of queso, heavy cream, green chiles, and rice, then topped with melted Mexican cheese for a comforting casserole perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 oz packet taco seasoning
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Rice Mixture
- 15 oz queso dip
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 – 4 oz can chopped green chiles
- ½ cup minced onion
- 2 cups instant rice, cooked
Topping
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Freshly chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish and Oven: Spray a 7×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for about 4 minutes until fully cooked and browned. Season the chicken with taco seasoning, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes during cooking to infuse flavor.
- Mix Rice Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked instant rice, queso dip, heavy cream, minced onion, and chopped green chiles. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Spoon the cheesy rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth layer.
- Add Chicken Layer: Evenly distribute the cooked, seasoned chicken pieces over the rice mixture layer in the baking dish.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the chicken layer. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top as a bright, fresh garnish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Make sure it is completely cooled before storing in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.
- For a balanced meal, serve with a tangy side salad or steamed buttered vegetables.
- Use instant rice for quick cooking; however, leftover cooked rice can be substituted if desired.
Keywords: chicken casserole, queso dip recipe, cheesy chicken and rice, quick dinner, Mexican casserole, baked rice dish
